We make our prayer to You using the words of the prophet Daniel:
O Lord, You are the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant
of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments. You are
merciful and forgiving. You are righteous, but this day we are covered
with shame because we have sinned against You, and done wrong. We have
turned away from Your commands and principles. We have turned away from
You.
Yet You have promised in 2 Chronicles 7, that if we–a people
identified with You–would humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and
turn from our wicked ways, then You would hear our prayer, forgive our
sin and heal our land.
So we choose to stop pointing our finger at the sins of others,
and examine our own hearts and lives. We choose to acknowledge our own
sin–our neglect and defiance and ignorance and even rejection of You.
This day we choose to repent.
In response to our heartfelt repentance, God of Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob, Father of Jesus Christ, in keeping with all Your righteous
acts and according to Your promise, turn away Your anger and Your wrath
from the United States of America. Hear the prayers and petitions
offered to You on this National Day of Prayer, as we give You our full
attention. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see. We do
not make requests of You because we are righteous, but because of Your
great mercy.
For the glory of Your Name hear our prayer, forgive our sin, and heal our land.
We ask this in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ who offers us
salvation from Your judgment, forgiveness for our sin, and
reconciliation with You through His own blood shed on the Cross. Amen.